All About EV Charging Connectors: A Guide to CCS, CHAdeMO, and Type 2
If you are new to electric driving, the different types of EV charging connectors can feel more complicated than they should. In practice, most UK drivers only need to understand three names:
- Type 2 for most AC charging
- CCS for most rapid DC charging
- CHAdeMO for a smaller number of older vehicles.
The problem is not the number of connectors. The problem is knowing which one affects your charging at home, which one affects public charging, and which one affects the long-term practicality of the car you buy. In the UK, Type 2 is the standard for AC public charging and CCS Combo 2 is the standard for DC high-power public charging, which is why most newer EVs are now built around those formats.
Need a charger that matches your vehicle properly from day one? Explore home EV charger installation options before you buy a cable or wallbox, or simply call us on 01322 761101.
What are the main EV charging connector types in the UK?
There are three connectors UK drivers come across most often.
- Type 2 EV charging is the standard for AC charging across most modern UK and European EVs. It is the connector most people use for home charging and for many public slow and fast chargers.
- CCS adds two extra DC pins beneath a Type 2-style upper section, which allows one vehicle inlet to handle both AC and rapid DC charging. This is why CCS has become the practical default for newer EVs.
- CHAdeMO is a separate rapid-charging connector used mainly by older Japanese models. It still exists in the UK network, but it is no longer the direction of travel for most new vehicles.
| Connector | Current UK role | Typical use | What to know |
| Type 2 | Main AC standard | Home charging, workplace charging, many public AC posts | Most relevant connector for home wallboxes |
| CCS | Main rapid DC standard | Rapid and ultra-rapid public charging | Most future-proof for public charging |
| CHAdeMO | Legacy rapid DC option | Older EVs, especially some earlier models | Less common than CCS in current buying decisions |
MakeMeLocal.com | Company Registration Number 8761842 | VAT Registration Number 175 1581 01
CCS vs CHAdeMO: What is the difference?
CCS vs CHAdeMO is really a question about long-term convenience.
CCS combines AC and DC capability into one vehicle inlet. That simplifies charging because the same car can use a Type 2-based AC connection for home charging and CCS for rapid public charging. CHAdeMO uses a separate DC connector, so vehicles that rely on it usually have a different AC socket for home charging as well. In the UK, that matters because public infrastructure and regulation are standardising around Type 2 for AC and CCS Combo 2 for high-power DC.
For most UK drivers, the practical split is simple: Type 2 matters most at home, CCS matters most on longer journeys, and CHAdeMO mainly matters if you are buying an older EV.
How Type 2 EV charging works at home and in public
Type 2 is the connector most homeowners need to understand first. It is the standard AC connector used by most modern EVs in the UK, and it is the format most relevant to a 7kW home charger. That is why charger compatibility on the installation side is usually less about choosing between CCS and CHAdeMO, and more about making sure the charger format, cable setup and vehicle inlet all match properly.
For home charging, the key decision is usually not “Do I need CCS?” but “Do I want a tethered or untethered charger, and does my car use Type 2?”
If you also need charging for staff, visitors or fleet vehicles, consider commercial EV charging solutions before choosing a connector-led rollout.
What connector does my EV use?
Start with the vehicle inlet, not the charger advert.
If your car has a Type 2 inlet only, you are looking at AC charging through Type 2. If your car has a CCS inlet, you can usually AC charge through the upper Type 2 section and DC rapid charge through the full CCS port. If your car has CHAdeMO, you will usually also have a separate AC inlet for slower charging. That is why a used EV buyer should always check the exact inlet configuration before assuming motorway rapid charging will be straightforward.
A simple check before purchase:
- Confirm the car’s AC inlet type
- Confirm the DC rapid-charge inlet type
- Check whether your home charger will be tethered or untethered
- Check how often you will rely on public rapid charging
This is also where the charger choice matters. Compare the EV chargers we install at EVC Electrical Installations if you want the hardware decision to line up with how the car will actually be used.
Which EV charging connector type is the most future-proof?
CCS is the most future-proof public rapid-charging connector, while Type 2 remains the essential standard for home and AC charging. That is the practical answer.
The reason is straightforward. UK public charging rules and market rollout have standardised around Type 2 on the AC side and CCS Combo 2 on the high-power DC side. Public infrastructure has kept growing, and rapid plus ultra-rapid chargers continue to expand, with Zapmap reporting 27,009 such chargers by the end of February 2026.
CHAdeMO is not unusable, but it is less future-proof for a driver who expects broad rapid-charging flexibility over the next few years. That matters most for used EV selection, not for new home wallbox installation.
Choosing the right home charger for your connector type
For most households, the right decision is a Type 2-compatible 7kW charger installed properly, with the cable format and layout suited to the vehicle and property. That is where installation quality matters more than overthinking connector jargon.
We have carried out over 1,000 home installations, covering Kent, London and the South East. We use a remote survey process to issue fixed quotations before arranging installation, often within two weeks. That kind of process matters because a good setup depends on charger position, cable reach, load management and how the car is actually parked day to day.
Whether you are comparing a new EV, replacing an older charger or checking if a used EV with CHAdeMO still fits your routine, the safest route is to match the car first, then the charger, then the installation.
Get the connector choice right, then make the installation easy
Connector confusion usually disappears once you separate home charging from public charging. Type 2 is central to home and AC use. CCS is the main standard for public rapid charging. CHAdeMO still matters, but mainly for a narrower set of older vehicles.
If the next step is a charger at home or a rollout for your premises, the practical move is to choose equipment that matches the vehicle properly and is installed to current standards. We are OZEV-approved, NICEIC-registered and trained specifically in EV charge point installation, so we will ensure compatibility, safety and day-to-day usability. For the next step, request a fixed quote, call 01322 761101 or email office@evcinstalls.co.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common EV connector in the UK?
Type 2 is the standard connector for AC charging on most modern EVs in the UK, while CCS is the main standard for rapid DC charging.
Is CCS better than CHAdeMO?
For most UK drivers, CCS is the more future-proof option because it is more aligned with current public charging infrastructure and standards.
Do I need a Type 2 charger at home?
Most modern UK EVs use Type 2 for AC home charging, so a Type 2-compatible home charger is the right fit for most households.
Can I still use a CHAdeMO car in the UK?
Yes, but you should check your public charging options more carefully, especially if you rely on rapid charging for longer trips.
Does the connector type change the quality of the home installation?
Not by itself. Installation quality depends more on correct charger selection, property layout, cable routing, electrical safety and load management.